Professional
athletes play as a big role model for many people. In the textbook it talks
about how public relations in the entertainment business can involve serving as
a publicist for a celebrity/sports figure. What happens when public relations
campaigns are initiated to generate public awareness of an individual who has
done some bad things? Alex Rodriquez has been suspended from playing in Major
League Baseball all of last season because he has taken steroids. This is not
the first time has been suspended because of it.
Professional
athletes are role models for many people. If you know people are looking up to
you why set a bad example. When it comes to taking steroids your morals and ethics
come into play. You have to make a decision on where you know what you are
doing is against the rules but it can make you play better. That’s something that
so many people face with is to make a decision about steroids. Athletes of all
sports know that kids look up to their favorite athletes so set a positive example
for kids and do things right. Show kids that hard work and dedication does pay
off.
Here is an
article about Alex Rodriquez. This article is fairly lengthy.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/3811116/
This is one tough situation for any person to be, any team to be in, and especially any public relations person trying to address it. He did something wrong, a long time ago. Do we condemn him? Do we support his honesty and feel bad for him because he regrets it? Any stance that is taken to support him runs the risk of looking like it is supporting drugs, or a drug user. I think this article shows the Yankees really approach it the only way they can. They say we are disappointed and we DON'T support this, but it was a long time ago, and all we can do now is encourage his honesty. Everything that follows is simply the natural consequence of his actions. His reputation is tarnished, and no matter how sorry he is, that will always be the case. All he can do is admit it, and move on, just like mistakes made by any other person in the world.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, the problem I would have is it goes against my personal beliefs for the game. If I was his PR before this happened I might leave as his rep. In this case ARods rep was not very publically recognized. I didn't hear much about him or her and they must of either told Arod to lie or didn't know anything about it would be my two guesses. Other wise you think they would have planned better.
ReplyDeleteI can’t imagine the pressure of being in the celebrity spotlight – professional athletes included. It is inevitable that everyone makes mistakes. The difference is that people in the spotlight are more critically judged and called out for their mistakes. Steroids must be a difficult struggle because of the overwhelming importance placed on winning and being the best. I liked how you discussed how this is when morals and ethics come into play. Not only are morals and ethics enough, but the willpower to STICK to those convictions. That could be reason why so many athletes and celebrities struggle to keep the images of good role models.
ReplyDeleteI talked about several items in my post and one of them was the Lance Armstrong doping scandal. He is by far the most recognizable person in all of cycling ever and to have a scandal of that magnitude was a big deal for him and his publicists. By making an example out of people like Lance and Rodriquez hopefully future athletes will refrain from doing anything that might cause problems as big as those two. No matter what it seems like the truth is going to come out sooner or later so not performing the wrongdoing is the best way to avoid it.
ReplyDeleteI think circumstances such as this are difficult for PR professionals. I imagine it would extremely difficult to turn someone's image around and show them in a positive light, especially since this isn't the first time he has put himself in this position. Some things can't be undone and this is a great example of PR work at it's best.
ReplyDeleteIf he's been suspended for it before, why is even still allowed to play in the major leagues? What is that saying about the organization? If people are really wanting to start holding public figures accountable for the wrong or bad things they do, whether its a drug or assaulting someone, then that means that all the wrong-doing parties are held accountable at the same levels as anyone else in their field. Just because he's a "superstar" he gets suspended meanwhile the rookie probably loses every chance to become the superstar and is earmarked forever as doper.
ReplyDeleteSteroids are always a social issue, always an issue once the media gets involved and the case is broken wide open. Take A Rod for example, no one cared or wondered if he was taking steroids when he was jacking 30 plus home runs a year playing at a MVP caliber level. When he is accused of steroids however, everyone all of a sudden becomes a moral and ethical icon. Taking the stand point of 'theres no room for this in baseball.' Steroids are usually pretty cut and dry, you know when someone is doping. Yet, you aren't guilty or considered a cheater until you've been caught. I would say that for as many people who have been caught there is equally or more so that haven't been caught. As well as, the magnitude of the player will have an effect on how the media will cover the case. Lance Armstrong's case is a perfect example of both of these. First, when Lance was stripped of the medal they had to go back 21 places to award the winner of the race. Now my question is regarding to the magnitude of person in the case. Can you name any of the other 20 people that go skipped over for testing positive for steroids or do you only remember the name Lance?
ReplyDelete